The majority of people that own a dog or a cat can agree that their pets make their lives better. According to HTR News, there are several ways in which these furry friends also make their owner's healthier people.

A woman from St. Louis did not follow a regular workout plan until she got her Labrador.

"One day when we were walking, I figured maybe I could try to get some exercise since I'm already out there," Kim Goedeker said to the news source. "So I started running little by little with her, then made a goal to run a 5K."

It can also help keep children fit. According to a recent study conducted at Australia's Deakin University, owning a dog can decrease the chances of a kid becoming obese by nearly 50 percent, the news source reports.

Many dogs and cats have homes in which they are creating a better life for their owners. According to the Humane Society, there are about 77.5 million pooches and 93.6 million felines owned in the United States.

If it is after hours, please call

Specialty Care

As part of the VCA family, we have over 83 specialty hospitals across the US and Canada which provide referral specialty care, so there may be one near you. Enter ZIP to find VCA specialty care hospitals near you.